New PACT for victims of child sexual abuse
The issue of child sexual abuse and two new treatment programs will be discussed at a free public lecture by University of Queensland Professor of Child Psychiatry, Barry Nurcombe this month.
The lecture will be held at 2 pm on Monday July 26 at the Ithaca Room, Brisbane City Hall.
The lecture is part of the inaugural University of Queensland Faculty of Health Sciences Health Week from July 25-31. The Week aims to showcase the University Faculty's expertise in research and education of staff and students.
According to Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Peter Brooks said the key messages of the week are: that world class research which advances the health of all Australians is being conducted at UQ; that the University of Queensland is a leading educator of health professionals; and that a career in health sciences is stimulating and exciting.
Professor Nurcombe said the new treatment programs to be discussed in the public lecture aimed to improve self-esteem, restore trust, and help children tackle their problems directly rather than shelving or denying them.
The University of Queensland and Protect All Children Today (PACT) have designed the two treatment programs for children aged six to 16 years.
The programs also aim to help parents better understand their children and provide effective emotional support. The free programs involve weekly one-hour sessions for 18 weeks, and assessments are made at the beginning and end of treatment and 12 months after the beginning of treatment. Clinics and agencies throughout southeast Queensland will deliver the treatment programs.
"The risks are few and the potential benefits great," Professor Nurcombe said."It is possible that some children will become more anxious during treatment as they learn to deal with their problems, but this is likely to be temporary. "The main aim of treatment is to help children and adolescents move forward to be problem solvers who take charge of their lives."
According to Professor Nurcombe, sexual abuse is an experience, not a disorder, and its manifestations and accompaniments are diverse.Therefore, it is unlikely that a one-size-fits-all treatment will work. That is why two treatment programs have been developed, so that a central model of treatment can be modified to suit an individual case.
FURTHER INFORMATION: BARRY NURCOMBE telephone 3365 5458.
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